US employmentThe number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell last week to its lowest level in a month, an upbeat signal for a labour market that has struggled to create enough jobs. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 365,000, the Labor Department said.

It was the first drop in new claims since the week that ended August 4th, and also the lowest level since then.

The report has no direct bearing on today’s monthly employment report for August, which is expected to show non-farm payrolls rose by a modest 125,000 last month, while the unemployment rate is seen as staying at 8.3 per cent. – (Reuters)